Manipulating device



Feb. 13,1934. A, H, THE|5 v 1,947282 MANIPULATING DEV'ICE Filed Dec; 24.1952 4 INVENTOR ATTORN EY Patented Feb. 13, 1934 UNITED STA MANIPULATINGDEVICE Amos H. Theis, Lawrenceburg, Ind.

Application December 24, 1932 Serial N0. 648,821

7 claims.

This invention relates to improvements in manipulating devices and isparticularly directed to a ush type control knob or button effective foraccomplishing a control function either by axial or rotative movement orboth. This improved ilush type control knob or depressible button hasbeen designed primarily because of the increasing use of apparatusrequiring a control means of this nature which is entirely unobtrusiveand which is simple in operation.. In many installations such as radiodials or control knobs, push button switches, door handles, and handlesand locks for all types ci furniture, it is of extreme" value to havethe manipulating or control device, disposed ush Awith the wall when notin use so that it is in no way an obstruction and assists greatly in theappearance of the article. The conventional devices of this nature haveincluded release devices and operative parts which because of the natureof the device have been exposed and protruded, thereby destroying theentirely ush aspect of the structure. The present structure is designedto obviate these inherent defects.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a control knobor button which will be normally disposed ush with the wall and includesan extremely simple and eflcient mechanical device for accomplishing thenormal disposition of the knob or button in position entirely flush withthe wall and does not include any projections or visible actuating oroperating means other than the button or knob itself when released.

It is a further object to provide a device of this nature in whichtheentirely concealed control means or internal mechanism is susceptible toa great variety of uses and installations and which is intended for usein any environment where control can be obtained through a manipulating4device of this character.

Other objects and certain advantages will be more fully apparent from adescription of the` accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view/fof the control knob or manipulating meansshowing it disposed in released or manipulating position.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on line 22, Figure 1, detailing theinternal construction of the control knob or depressible button inreleased position. A

Figure 3 is a sectional view Itaken similar to Figure 2 but showing thebutton-or knob in its depressed position flush with the wall.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken similar to Figure 2, but showing thebutton fully depressed into the wall during the operation of releasingthe same `and showing the means active for releasing the detent or catchwhich holds the button in hush-,position Figure 5 is a sectional viewtaken similar to Figure 2 but showing the device in a` position in itsoutward travel after release, wherein the floating sleeve is effective'for holding the dem tents out of operation.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-, Figure 1, showing furtherdetails of the button or lnicb. i

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 'L-T,

Figure 2, illustrating the mounting of the mul- 7@ tiple detent springwhich controls the position of the button.

The entirely concealed release mechanism of this improved knob ormanipulating means is readily applicable to either a rotatable or astationary rod or support. It is equally applicable to devices whichmake use solely of the translative or depressive movement of the knobfor operation of subsidiary parts such as in the operation of anelectric switch. The improved s@ mechanism, for these purposes, includesa de tent carrier or core 10 xed against translative movement and a knobor button 11 mounted for translative or axial movement in relation tothe detent carrier 10. Preferably the detent 12 in 85 the carriercooperates with shoulders in the internal bore of the knob and a detentelement or dog 13 is carried by the knob 11 and actuated therewith fordisplacing the detent 12 depending on the amount of depression of theknob. .A

spring 14 is used for constantly urging the knob outwardly to positionof manipulation being effective for this purpose when the detent isreleased.

The drawing, in this instance, shows this control structure appliedthrough a panel 15 with relation to whichthe outer end of the button 1lis adapted to be normally disposed in flush position. The control unitincluding the detent carrier and the button issupported through an 1goaperture 16 in the panel l5 and in a U-shaped bracket 17. securedagainst the rear face of the panel. A shaft section 18 is rotativelymounted in the bracket 1'7 for the present purpose and ismaintainedagainst axial displacement by means. of a shoulder 19 thereof engagedagainst the inside of the bracket and a pair of nuts 20 engaged againstthe outer side of the bracket and screw-threaded on the shaft, against ashoulder 21 of. the shaft, the space between the shoulders 19 11o e and21 providing for the necessary clearance or spacing between the shoulder19 and the nuts 20, 20, permitting free rotative movement of the shaftin relation to the bracket.

The detent carrier 10 is vfixed to the shaft 18 against either rotativeor axial displacement by means of a set screw 22. The detent carrierassembly consists of an internal sleeve 23 rigidly secured in a mainbody 24. The main body of the detent carrier is longitudinally slottedas at 25 at the knob carrying end thereof, these slots extending topoints intermediatethe length of the body. There are four slots in thepresent instance providing recesses for f our detent members although itwill be understood that the nurnber of detents used is entirelyarbitrary.

The multiple detent element 12 is in the nature of a washer lyingagainst the end of the body 24 of the detent carrier and securedthereagainst by a washer 26 and a swaged or outwardly flanged outer end2'7 of the internal sleeve, this washer including four inwardlyextending detent members 28 lying in the slots 25 respectively. Thesedetent members have their extreme ends offset outwardly to provide thenecessary detent shoulders. The detent element is formed of springmaterial and its respective members are formed so as to normallyprotrude radially from the slots 25.

The knob or button 11 in the present instance is formed in two piecesfor the purpose of assembly as to certain internal parts which will `behereinafter described. This buttonjll is mounted for axial movement onthe detent carrier 10 and traversing the aperture 16 in the panel and ismounted in splined relation for rotation with the detent carrier bymeansof a radially disposed inwardly extending pin 29 thereof whichengages in a longitudinal groove 30 in the outer face of the detentcarrier. The two sections of the knob are a sleeve 31 slidably mountedon the detent carrier and a thimble 32 screw-threaded on the sleeveportion 31 and tting through the mentioned aperture in the panel, thisthimble being the manipulating means or knob proper and includingperipheral irregularities permitting convenient gripping of the same.

This assembly of parts provides a closed outer face 32 for the knob andan enlarged or counterbored portion 33 apart from the general bore whichslidably mounts the knob assembly on the detent carrier. A central stud34 extends axially inwardly from the outer face of the dial and thespring 14 is disposed under compression about this stud and between theknob and a cross pin 35 disposed in the internal bore of the sleeve 23of the detent carrier, this spring providing the necessary outwardpressure on the knob automatically urging it into position of use. A pin36 extended radially from the detent carrier into the spline groove 30of the carrier provides an abutment for the pin 29 limiting outwardmovement of the knob.

Within the counterbore 33, the shiftable or floating sleeve 13 ismounted for limited travel between the respective ends of the mentionedbore.. As shown in Figure 2` there is sufficient clearance between theend of the sleeve 13 and the adjacent end of the counterbore 33 toprovide an annular internal groove 38 in'to which the detents mayengage. vThe floating sleeve 13 has an internal bore corresponding tothe internal bore of the knob beyond the counterbore and is thereforefree to slide upon the detent carrier.

For a full understanding of the operation of the oating sleeve and itsco-action with the detents,

the following description of the operation of the V device will begiven. Assuming that the control device is in the position shown inFigure 2 and is in use wherein as disclosed in the present structure,the knob may be readily rotated for accomplishing some function throughthe rotatable shaft, 18, the rotative coupling between the knob 11 anddetent carrier 10 occurring through the splined connection heretoforementioned. As the knob is compressed or depressed into the panel on itssplined connection, the detent members 28 will ultimately be releasedfrom their confined positions below the periphery of the detent carrierand will snap radially into the annular recess 38 aiforded by theclearance between the inner end of the floating sleeve 13 and theadjacent end of the counterbore 33. If it should occur that the sleeveis lying against the mentioned shoulder, the detent members in view oftheir rounded offset portions engaging the chamfered adjacent end 39 ofthe floating sleeve, will force the sleeve outwardly and provide theannular groove which is needed for release.

As the detent members or dogs snap into position in this groove theoperator senses that the knob is in caught or set position. At this timethe dial is in the flush position shown in Figure 3 and outward movementof the dial under the action of the spring 14 is prevented by theengagement of the ends of the detent extensions 28 with the side of theannular groove or in other words, the end of the counterbore. The oatingsleeve 13 contained in the knob is the principal control elementaccomplishing the release as will be apparent from the ensuingdescription.

In releasing the knob, the operator further depresses or countersinksthe same into the recessor bore of the panel. This further depressiondue to the cam engagement between the rounded portions ofthe detents andthe chamfered end of the floating sleeve will carry the sleeve over thedetents depressing them into their respective grooves below theperiphery of the detent carrier and holding them in this `position forrelease.- For this purpose the internal bore of the floating sleeve isof a diameter which fits snugly and slides smoothly over the detentcarrier. The mechanism is then in a position shown in Figure 4. Thisfurther depression abuts the knob against the end of the detent carrierand further inward movement is prevented. Thereupon the operatorreleases the knob and the spring 14 acts to move the same outwardly.

Since the detents are exerting an outward pres- 1 sure on the floatingsleeve 13 at this time, 'the floating sleeve is bound to or secured onthe detent carrier against longitudinal or axial displacement and willcontinue to be until the inner end thereof abuts the adjacent end of thecounterbore 33, (see Figure 5), thereby taking up the annular groovewhich was previously effective for receiving the detents. The floatingsleeve thus bridges this space and the detents are then within theinternal bore of the knob mounting sleeve and cannot spring outwardly.Due to this action wherein the floating sleeve is retained upon thedetents until the sleeve is carried off by the knob, the entire knob isthen free. to travel outwardly over the detents maintaining them in adepressed state and permitting full release to the position shown inFigure 2.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A control device, comprising, an element, a

knob mounted for translative movement on.. said element, a 'detent knobincluding by said detent movement of the knob control sleeve mountedmounted in said element, said a recessadapted to bev engaged in oneposition o! translative on said element, and a within the knob andadapted to move within the recess and over the detent, said controlsleeve adapted to become frictionally engagedl over the groove for'releasing the knob from normal detent secured position."

2. A control device, comprising,

lo close ment, a spring the detent and thereby a lsupport eleurged knobmounted for axial movement on said support element, a detent mounted insaid support element, said knob including a recess adapted to be engagedby said detent in depressed position of translative movement of theknobon said support element, and a floating element mounted within theI knoband o adapted to prevent operation ofthe detent during spring returnmovement of the knob.

3. A control device, comprising, an element mountedfor rotativemovement, a spring urged knob translatively'mounted on said element insplined connection therewith, circumierentially adapted to move over thedetents when the knob is further depressed and to close up 'the grooveupon spring. urged releasing the knob su HOD.

movement oi the knob for from detent secured posi- 4. An extensibleknob, comprising, concentricaily disposed members constituting a sleeveand a core relatively axially movable for knob extensibility,

one or more yielding dogs carried by one 'of said members for engagementwith the other"l for locking said members in a retracted position,

and afloating collar mounted between said members movable by the dogs.Ai3 d; A control one of said members for releasing device, comprising, anelement Afrom detent secured position.

mounted forrotative movement, a springgurged knob translatively mountedon. said element in splined connection therewith, a detent mounted insaid element, said knob including an internal recess adapted to beengaged by said detent in one position of depressed movement of the knobon said element, and a control sleeve mounted within the knob andadapted to move over the Y detent when the knob is further depressed andto block the recess upon spring urged movementof g5 the knobfor'permitting movement of the knob 6. An extensibleknob, comprising, asupport element, a knob slidably mounted-on said support element,'detents circumferentially arranged in said support element andeffective radially therefrom, said detents maintained in inoperativeposition by said knob at its slidably mounted portion, said knob havingan enlarged bore portion, a iloating sleeve slidably mounted in saidenlarged bore portion and of less length than the length of the enlargedbore portion, the internal diameter of the floating sleeve being of thesame dimension as the bore of the slidable portion 'or the knob, and aspring disposed under 100 compression between the support element andthe knob, whereby the clearance between the end of the oating sleeve andthe end of the enlarged bore portion of the knob provides a detentrecess and said iloating sleeve takes up said recess when engaged overthe detents for rendering the detents inoperative.

'1. In a device of the class described, a knob, an-axial mounting forsaid knob adapting the knob to be moved longitudinally on said mounting,spring means on the mounting urging said knob axially in one, direction,a latch member adapted to secure said knob against said urging means,and release means between the latch member and knob-fully l knob axiallyand non-rotatively on its mounting against' the urging means slightlybeyond the latched position.

AMOS H. THEIS.

effective by moving said

